Statement of Covenant

The Hebrew term for covenant is berit, meaning "to bond.” It is translated into the Greek as syntheke, "binding together” or diatheke, "will, testament.” In the Bible a covenant is a relationship based upon mutual commitments. It typically involves promises and obligations to God and each other. We enter this covenant together as a body of believers.

Therefore:

We profess our faith in Jesus Christ, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, do solemnly and joyfully affirm our covenant with God and with each other, as one body in Christ.

We hereby make a covenant between ourselves and God that we will work to make our attitudes, words and deeds towards others more Christ-like.

We pledge to serve Christ in the fellowship of this congregation, to love one another, to remember one another in prayer, to admonish one another with love and gentleness, to share each other’s joys, and to sustain each other in prayer and helps in times of distress. (John 3:35; Philippians 2:4; II Timothy 2:15; Matthew 18:5; Galatians 6:1-2)

By the aid and illuminating power of the Holy Spirit, we confirm that we will be a fellowship of genuinely concerned people, encouraging the lost to find Jesus Christ, sinners to find forgiveness, followers of Jesus to find spiritual purpose for their lives, and everyone who attends this church to feel welcome.

We covenant before God to be responsible church members, to be faithful to supporting the church in attendance, to give of tithes and offerings, to serve, to study, to witness and to support missions.

We acknowledge that children are a gift from God and we pledge to bring them up in the love, discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1, 4; Psalm 127:3)

We pledge our obedience to Christ in our daily living. Within our society, in our homes, at our labor and while at leisure, we shall strive for attitudes and actions which reflect God’s Spirit working through us. (John 14:13; Ephesians 6:7; James 4:17)

Believing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, we covenant before God that we will avoid experiences and habits which defile the body, harm others or hinder our witness. (I Corinthians 3:16, 17; I Corinthians 6:19; I Corinthians 10:31)

Believing that all conduct with the intent to adopt a gender other than one's physical birth sex is immoral and therefore sin, we pledge to stay true to the physical sex we were given at birth. (Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-27)

Acknowledging our human frailties and ever seeking forgiveness, we profess our need of the Holy Spirit and daily commit our lives to Jesus Christ.We pledge that when we leave this place, we will as soon as possible unite with another fellowship where we can continue in the spirit of this covenant. Amen.

- taken from the West Highland Baptist Church Constitution - adopted September 14, 2016